By Libuseng Nyaka
The Thabo Mofutsanyana regional Chess structure has elected an interim committee which is mandated to facilitate the election of a permanent committee by Mid-March 2024.
The election of the interim which was held at Tshiya on December 02, 2023 went smoothly after the Chairperson of Qwaqwa Masters Chess Club, Tshepiso Senyane, volunteered to lead the interim body and Rethabile Mphosi of Tshiame based Sprinter Chess club also volunteered to become the engine of the interim committee as its secretary.
In a bid to bridge gender disparities, the only two females who had attended the committee were also automatically included in structure.
Sello Shai, a veteran with a wealth of experience, was also appointed to the team that will lead the Thabo Mofutsanyana structure to garnering the 250 players target put by provincial secretary Thabo Matsiliso who was deployed to oversee and guide with the process of electing the interim committee.
Matsiliso said everything must be guided by the constitution, meaning before any other business they must draft a constitution.
Matsiliso did not leave anything to chance, he first verified the legitimacy of three clubs that attended the meeting by checking their minutes of their meetings and whether those who have attended had followed procedure by signing and writing their contact details.
Matsiliso only managed to verify The Tshiame Supreme Nights Chess club and Senekal’s Kuretlele Chess club. QwaQwa Master’s Chess club could not be verified because the club had not brought their minutes. However, after agreement and commitment made that such minutes will be submitted, Matsiliso allowed them to participate.
Addressing TMDM regional Chess members Thabo Matsiliso.
According to Matsiliso, the importance of having a regional structure is for regulation of the clubs and development of chess.
Matsiliso emphasized the importance of documentation, records, and signatures with contacts.
“This can be used as proof that on this date, the above people attended the meeting and agreed on the matter as documented. It can also be used as a referral. Records are very important in case we are sued.”
Matsilisa told the new committee that leadership needs passion and sacrifice.
“The love of chess will take us far, some of us even dig from our pockets to ensure this sport does not die.”
Senyane backed Matsiliso, adding: “I know it is no child’s play, but I am ready to make those sacrifices in order to see chess growing in our area.”
